DIFFA/Chicago Excellence In Care Awards

DIFFA/Chicago's grant making tradition has been to support start up or emerging programs and ideas that reflect a unique or innovative approach to a problem. DIFFA/Chicago also seeks proposals that include appropriate and strategic collaboration among agencies. We continue to seek requests where public support and other philanthropy (including an organization's own fund raising capacity) is not otherwise available and where DIFFA/Chicago funds can be appropriately positioned to expand and diversify the funding efforts of an organization.

Eligible Programs

Community-based organizations with a 501(c) 3 providing direct service, preventive education, and outreach to people who are HIV positive, living with AIDS or at-risk of infection are eligible.

Grant Cycles

The Foundation issues grants annually. In some cases, a special grant may be awarded during the year to meet specific funder, community or emergency needs. Grants fall under two categories: Chapter Grants and Foundation Grants. In both instances, DIFFA/Chicago does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Invitations are sent out in the fall of each year to apply. Grants are then approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors at their January Board meeting and presented at The Excellence In Care Awards in February.

Grant Process

DIFFA/Chicago is a grant giving organization that provides Excellence in Care Grant Awards to Chicago area service providers. A team consisting of a professional in that field and a DIFFA/Chicago board member review each agency applying for funding. Review of proposals is followed by site visits and interviews with the organizations’ staff. We fund in the categories of advocacy and education, health and clinical services, meals and nutrition, housing, and support and counseling. The agencies shown to provide the best care receive an unrestricted grant.

DIFFA/Chicago has been awarding grants since 1987 totaling over two million dollars. Our support from the beginning of this deadly disease has provided several agencies with the funding to open their doors, and our continued support has helped them to stay open to provide care where it is needed.

In 1990, the DIFFA/Chicago Fellowship was established and is funded specifically for HIV/AIDS research within Northwestern Medicine.

The DIFFA/Chicago granting process selects agencies providing the best care possible in Chicago, and the ability to put dollars where they have the most impact to help the men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Request For Proposal

DIFFA/Chicago is pleased to announce our Excellence In Care Awards for 2020, to identify and recognize grass-root community based agencies with a 501(c) 3 that provide outstanding services, preventive education and outreach to people in the Chicago area who are HIV positive, living with AIDS or at risk of infection. We welcome your organization to submit an application for this award.

Our BELIEVE 2010: SEE 2020: Perfect Vision: An AIDS Free World campaign symbolizes the connection we share with our sponsors, board members, volunteers and grantees. It also defines our tenacious quest and commitment to eradicating AIDS. Together let’s believe in what we do, in finding a cure and that we can achieve a World Without AIDS.

Jamie Ayers
Grants Committee Co-Chair
(312)-339-9289
jayers@stonesource.com
Cindy Farias
Grants Committee Co-Chair
(312) 339-8578
cindyf@thomasinteriors.com
Todd J Baisch

GRANT APPLICATION

Previous Recipients

DIFFA/Chicago’s grant making tradition has been able to support emerging programs and ideas that reflect a unique or innovative approach to a problem. We continue to seek requests where public support and other philanthropy (including an organization’s own fundraising capacity) is not otherwise available, and where DIFFA/Chicago funds can be appropriately positioned to expand and diversify the funding efforts of an organization.

Below is a listing of the diverse organizations granted Excellence In Care Awards in 2020:

· Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance

· Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation

· Center on Halsted

· Chicago House

· Heartland Human Care Services

· Legal Council for Health Justice with Howard Brown Health

· Mother and Child Alliance

· Northwestern Medicine Fellowship

· Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)

· University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital

· Youth Outlook